Contact lens container



June 1, 1965 J. L. BREGER 3,186,540

CONTACT LENS CONTAINER Filed May 24, 1962 Z5 Z0 g Z0 n3 6 1514 s Z214 @y 164W MM, am

United States Patent O The present invention generally relates to contact lens containers and more particularly to improved contact lens carrying cases which provide increased safety against bacterial contamination.

Contact lens containers are generally of two types, dry n type carrying cases and wet type soaking cases. The carrying cases hold the contact lens in confined spaces until ready for use. Soaking c-ases are used to soak the contact lenses in germicidal wetting solutions usually overnight. Soaking cases usually have means which positively seal the-m against liquid leakage, and also, incidentally seal the cases against access of air thereto.-

Carrying cases for contact lens have no yadequate means for circulation of air. The contact lens wearer removes the lenses from his eyes and while they are still wet with tears he places them `in his carrying case, closing the lid thereon and sealing them in a closed confined space with no opportunity to dry out. Cer-tain types of microorganisms multiply rapidly in a moist environment, particularly in the substantial absence of circulating air, such as in the usual carrying case ho-lding two contact lens wet with tear liuids. Several o-f such microorganisms are potentially dangerous to the eye.

One of the dangerous microorganism is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, also known as pyocyaneus. Tests have shown that this microorganism is commonly found in the air, on human eye lids, and even in conventional wetting solutions which have been used too long and have become germicidally inactivated. This microorganismo multiplies rapidly in the Wet state and in the absence of air, and is p known to be responsible 4for certain types of ulcers of the human cornea from which permanent damage or loss to they eye can result, This microorganism is incapable of `penetrating intact corneal epithelium but can penetrate into the interior of the cornea through cracks in the epithelium. counter abrasions and cracks of the corneal epithelium during normal Wear of a contact lens, there is a substantial danger of penetration of the cornea in the abraded areas by this microorganism.

Inasmuch as it is relatively common to en-` A second microorganism commonly present in the environment and capable `of multiplying under moist conditions is Staphylococcus aureus. This microorganism can also cause considerable corneal damage. Bactericidal con- .tact lens'soaking solutions readily become inactivated so n as to be incapable of eliminating such dangerous microorganisms from contact len-ses. Accordingly, it will be understood that there is a certain real hazard in allowing Contact lenses to be stored or carried any length of time in a moist condition,

The foregoing problems connected with air tight containers and Icarrying cases have now been overcome. A small, compact, neat dry type contact lens case is provided which is capable of effectively storing contact lenses in a dry ,condition which minimizes danger of microbial When it is desired to use the' contamination thereof. contact lenses so stored, they can beremoved dry from the contactlens carrying case of the present invention, dipped vinto a germicidal wetting solution then placed on the eyes. Since they are stored dry, they are substantial-ly adversely affecting the plastic.

free of bacteria and any few remaining bacteria can be readilyinactivated by the germieidal wetting solution. If

,the contact lensesY were stored for any length o-f time inA l a moist condition, they would have greatly increased con- `rcen-trations of bacteria, in many instances too large in ice number to be inactivated by short-term contact with a wetting solution.

Accordingly, it is the principal ob-ject of the p-resent invention to provide improved means for the containment of contact lenses. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved small contact lens carrying case or container. It is a further lobject of the present invention to provide a contact lens case constructed to maintain contact lenses in a more sanitary condition. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the dry contact lens case of the present invention, with the cover closed;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken along the section line `2---2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the section line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE l with the cover fully opened to show the internal construction of said case.

The present invention generally comprises an improved Iair circulating contact lens case. More particularly, the dry case is constructed to firmly hold corneal or other types of contact lenses in place, in individual compartments therein, with both surfaces o-f each contact lens fully expo-sed to circulating air, in order to inactivate potentially dangerous microorganisms normally present on the surfaces of the contact lenses, case, etc. The contact lens case is small, compact, durable and inexpensive, Iand affords a maximum of convenience and safety for the contact lens wearer.

Now referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the dry type contact lens case of the present invention is illustrated in top plan view in FIGURE l of the accompanying drawings. In FIGURE l, a contact lens case 10 is shown with the cover 12 thereof in a closed position. The contact lens case may be of any suitable size and shape, for example generally oval with truncated ends, as shown in FIGURE l. The case may be fabricated of any suitable inert durable and preferably inexpensive material, such as plastic, wood, metal, glass or other ceramic fabric and the like or a suitable combination of such materials. One particularly suitable material is relatively inexpensive plastic resin, such as polypropylene, which can be boiled in water, for example,'20 minutes or so to sterilizev the same, without The cover 12 of the contact lens case 10 is preferably in the form of a top wall 14 connected to the margins thereof to downwardly and outward sloping sidewalls 16 so that the cover 12 defines a cavity 18. The cover 12 is preferably split into two separate spaced apart lids 20,

fproviding separate access to individually stored contact 'tion 23, which also may 'be split into two sections 26 to 4,facilitate separate opening of the lids 2G.

The base 22 is preferably. slightly smaller in'diameter than the cover 12 and has a bottom wall 28 andupwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls 30 defining a cavity T32. Cover 12 has a'rim 34 which depends from the periphery of sidewalls 16, except in the area of the hinged portion, which rimis adapted to releasably andY frictionally` engage a corresponding bead 36 `on the periphery of or'more components of the contact lens case lofthe present invention, as for example, Vthe mating hinge components, can be constructed'separately and the components may be split adjacent one end into two opposed spaced L-shaped walls 42 as shown in FIGURE 5 ,defining a lrecess ,44 dimensionedto receive guide tabs 46' depending from the inner surface 48 of [adjacent portions of the two `lids 36 when the lids are closed down upon the base 2.2.

Accordingly, proper alignment of lids 20 with respect to the base 22 during the closing operation is facilitated.

`In eachcompartment 38 there is Vprovided a raised generally cylindrical-receptacle 50 having a generallyvertical Acylindrical outer Wall 52. The receptacle 50 is providedV with a cavity 54'defmed by an inner wallo, the upper Aportion %v of which is frusto-eonical and joined to the and sanitary.

outer wall; 52 at the upper end thereof, and the lower` Y portion 60 of whichy is narrowed to a generally vertical neck. The upper portion of the `cavity generally conforms `to the convex surface of a contact lens and is adapted to Y receive and support the same..V The bottom of the receptacle Sti isprovided with a closed horizontal oor 64, conf nected at the periphery toitheV lower end of the lower necked portion 69. Thev floor 64 has at least one and preferably a plurality of air'holes or passageways 66 extending therethrough, Vas shown in FIGURE 4. Also, as

shown more particularly in FIGURES 3 and Vl ofthe accompanying drawings, the floor 64 [of each receptacleV 5t) isvr spaced upwardly from the bottom surface v68 of the remainder of the bottom Wal1 28 of the base 22 to faf Ycilitatecirculation of air to and from the cavity 54 through the air holes 66 inthe floor 64 and thus into contact with .theconvex surface of a contact lens supported in Vtheupper portion 62 of .the cavity 54.

Each lid 2i) is .provided on `theinner surface .48 thereof with, asV shown .in FIGURE 5, retaining means in the form .ofadepending rim 7u dimensioned .to abut the periphery of the upper portion of outer wall 52 of associated receptacles Si) KYwhen the lid is in a closed position, as shown in FIGURE'Zto form with the receptacle Si) an enclosed chamber. Therim 70 prevents displacement of a contact lens from .thereceptacle cavity 54 during movement of the case 10. Y

Cover 12 is'provided with 'air holes 72 affording direct and free .accessofair into contact with the concave surface of each contact lens when the lenses are stored in their receptacles within ycase 10. For example, .atV least one hole '72 is preferably provided, asshownin FIGURE f 2 in each'lid'2fl directly over (when the lid ils'closed) the corresponding receptacle 5t) inrbase 22,

It will =be readily understood'that additional air holes can thereupon be assembled together. In this connection, the cover can be formed separately from the base and interconnected therewith by conventional pin andphinge meansr(not shown). Moreoven-if desired, any one or more of the rims, receptacles, receptacle floors, partition,V

etc., can be formed separatelyand then assembled with the remaining componentsA offthecase by any suitable means,as by bonding agents, etc. Y

The described drytypercontact lens caseof the present invention is relatively inexpensive, simple, compact, small In the latter respect, itis effective in preventing the multiplicationl of certain microorganisms on the surfaces of contact lenses while they are stored in the Moreover, the. case is 'constructed Ysothat each 'contact lensV is individually compartmented and securely held in position Vin the case, and can be readily inserted ,into and removed from theY case Various ofthe features of the presentinvention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: v Y

1. An improved ventilated dry-typecontact lens case comprising a base portionfdivided into a pairrof compartments', eachlof said compartments including a Contact lens-retaining means having a raised generally cylindrical receptacle connected to said base, a cavity within said receptacle defined by. an inverted generally frusto-conical annular surfacefof the upperV portion .of said receptacle and by a generally cylindricallower portion, a floor positionedin vsaid'lowerfportion, saidfloor also defining a portion of the Vouter wallof said-base, said4 cavity being adapted to receive acontact lens with the convex surface of the lens resting'upon the frusto-conicaltsurface'of the cavity and above the said floor, saidy floor .of said Vcavity being provided with an aperture extending from the cavity to theV atmosphere outside the case so as to providecornmunication between the convex surface ofthe lens and ntheiatmosphere, and a cover hingedly interconnected with n said base. t

l*including a contact lens-retainingA means having a raised generally cylindricaly receptacle connected to said base,

lfimng a POltIOn ofthe outer wall of said base, Asaid cavity may be provided in the cover 12 rand base 22 ,of the casey 161, asdesired. ',In any event, air holesmust beprovided 1 inV accordancefwith the present inventionkwhich afford easydirectand ,free access of air into vdirect contact withy both surfacesof each contact lens when the case is closed,

as shown inA FIGURE 2.Y ,This featureV assures maintenance of the contactlenses in thecase lil in a dry sanitary condition, utilizing airand-absence of moisture as sanitiz-l ing means to inactivate-and/ordestroy rpotentially dangerous microorganisms Vwhich may be present on the surfaces i of the contact lenses, case, etc.

Infabricating the contact lens case ofthe present inven tion, it is'preferred that, particularly whereplastic vis Vutif lized, the-case be fabricated in one piece by .a single form- 'Ihis reduces theoverall cost ofthe case and substantially eliminates assembling operations. The

ing operation.

caseis constructed `so thatr the hinged portion of the case can be made integral with both the cover and base. So

also canthe receptacles, rims, partition'andother components of the base and cover;v Inso fabricating the Vcontact lensv cas e"arconventional plastic 'molding operation 1 ya cavity within said, receptacle defined by ,anv inverted generally truste-conical surface of the upper'portion of said receptacle and by a generally cylindrical lower portion, a floor positionedinrsaid lower portion, saidroor also debeing adapted to receive a contact lens Withgthe convex surface of the lens resting upon the frusto-conical surface of theY 4cavity and ,above thesaid floor, said ,floor of said cavity `being provided-'with an aperture extendingVV from the cavity tothe atmosphere outsidejthe case -so-as to provide communication between the convex surface of the l lens-andthe atmosphere, and a cover hingedly Vinterconnected with said basefsaid cover being provided withv an Y aperturel locatedin those portions thereof which overlieY each Yofsaid receptacles so as to provide communication Y between the'concave surfaces-'of contactglenses disposed in the' receptacles and thegatmosphere. I f v 3.'The;contact.lens case in accordancefwithY claim 2 wherein said cover comprises twoseparate hinged ,lidsV corresponding to said compartments :of ,saidibase g 4.7i The contact lens casein accordance with claim i3 Y wherein Vthe hinge interconnecting saidcovemand said 'base comprises a bendable portion integral with both lsa-idV Vcoverrand-said base, whereby said case isa single unitary structure;- v Y 5. TheV contact'l'eris case 4in accordance with Yclaim 3'- wherein the,hingeinterconnectingsaid'cover Vand said base utilizing conventional .thermo-setting` plastic residand V suitably shaped dies can beemployed. g Alternatively, onen comprises a bendable portion integral with both saidcover and'said base, :and wherein said'partitionwandvsaid recep-n 5 6 tacles are integral with said base, whereby said case is a 2,560,847 7/51 Chaplin 229-29 single unitary structure. 2,971,685 2/61 Treda 229-29 3,037,616 6/62 Phipps 2 06--5 References Cited by the Examiner 3,089,500 5/ 63 Stalcup 206-5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 3,115,146 12/63 ETWII 20G-5 1,780,264 11/30 Koppelman 22.9 29 THE/RON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

2,271,156 1/42 Walker 220-10 EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED VENTILATED DRY-TYPE CONTACT LENS CASE COMPRISING A BASE PORTION DIVIDED INTO A PAIR OF COMPARTMENTS, EACH OF SAID COMPARTMENTS INCLUDING A CONTACT LENS-RETAINING MEANS HAVING A RAISED GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL RECEPTACLE CONNECTED TO SAID BASE, A CAVITY WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLE DEFINED BY AN INVERTED GENERALLY FRUSTO-CONICAL ANNULAR SURFACE OF THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND BY GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL LOWER PORTION, A FLOOR POSITIONED IN SAID LOWER PORTION, SAID FLOOR ALSO DEFINING A PORTION OF THE OUTER WALL OF SAID BASE, SAID CAVITY BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CONTACT LENS WITH THE CONVEX SURFACE OF THE LENS RESTING UPON THE FRUSTO-CONICAL SURFACE OF THE CAVITY AND ABOVE THE SAID FLOOR, SAID FLOOR OF SAID CAVITY BEING PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE EXTENDING FROM THE CAVITY TO THE ATMOSPHERE OUTSIDE THE CASE SO AS TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CONVEX SURFACE OF THE LENS AND THE ATMOSPHERE, AND A COVER HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED WITH SAID BASE. 